Context:
Soil Health Card Scheme (SHCS) completed 10 Years
Soil Health Card Scheme (SHCS):
- Introduced in 2015 to assist State Governments in issuing soil health cards to all farmers across India.
- Merged into the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme as ‘Soil Health & Fertility’ from 2022-23.
- Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Implementation: By the Department of Agriculture of all States and UTs.
- Objectives:
- Issue soil health cards every 2 years to all farmers.
- Promote soil test-based nutrient management to enhance nutrient use efficiency.
- Features:
- Soil Health Cards: Provide information on soil nutrient status with recommendations for improving soil health.
- Parameters: Card includes details on 12 parameters: N, P, K, S (macro-nutrients); Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (micro-nutrients); pH (acidity/basicity), EC (electrical conductivity), and OC (organic carbon).
- Facilities: Establishment of Village-level Soil Testing Labs and a Soil Health Card Portal to generate SHCs in a uniform format.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?
1. They are generally red in colour.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct. These soils are poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium while iron oxide and potash are in excess.
Statement 3 is not correct. The laterite soils are commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Odisha and Assam.